How`s it going? My Oldie has rallied again - has yours? My vet says put him down, but while he wags his tail at my touch, demolishes his breakfast and dinner, and potters round getting underfoot, I don`t feel it`s time. With all my others, I just knew when they`d had enough , but these stubborn and courageous old dears are the devil, aren`t they?

Oh Claire i'm sorry to hear that, Sadie is doing well, she's been good, we were so worried at the weekend but she's picked up a lot more in the week, she is at the vets friday, just really quite anxious now and wondering exactly how much she has lost in the fortnight since she was last there. Fingers crossed. She's here tomorrow night so i'll let her sleep up on my bed with me. And yes, she is INCREDIBLY stubborn, always has been but boy oh boy in her old age has she became such a stubborn old lady! I know how you are feeling. x

My thoughts are you will definately know the right time, if a dog can no longer enjoy rolling in grass, if a dog no longer wants to go for walks, if a dog no longer can wagg its tail, if the dog is losing interest in the things that normally gave pleasure, if the dog gives you that look that says mum I have had enough, then that is the time. its a heartbreaking thing to do, one of the hardest for you to do, but also one of the kindest. looking at those picutes althoughshe is really thin, she looks like she is enjoying life even at a more sedatory pace, I am sorry you are in this situation, and my heart goes out to you and your family.

mo

Thank you so much, it's really appreciated. x

Thank you for thinking of us and for your support, I lost 4 cats in 2 years and it was so dreadful but I have never had to make the horrible decision to put an animal to sleep.

Thank you for your kinds words, she is still having a good time when she has the energy to do so, she's still a bit of a minx. x

Thank you Mini, those points have really helped and as none yet apply I feel more confident that she has some time left with us.

Thank you mo, it's just really disturbing to see her how she is but when you look at the other aspects she is still having quality of life, but she just looks so poorly.

HI

Such a sad time for you, you have my thoughts.

When the glint in her eye leaves her look into them and she will tell you she is ready.

Take Care x

Thank you Emma, it does help because I know i'm not mad as I feel exactly the same and i'm sure for you too it is comforting, because Scratch sounds like Sadie to have good days and bad, and when it's bad you can't help but wonder if it's time, sometimes she just sleeps all day, but when it's good and she's chasing and rolling about then you think no it's not time and it's so draining to be up and down all the time and you just don't know where your head is. And all the while trying to spend as much quality time as you can with them as the future is uncertain and also trying to do everything else in your life and just cope. I too, know how you feel, and all the best to you and Scratch and your family. x

Thank you, this is what I keep telling myself (and my mum) but it's so hard when she's like a walking skeleton and losing weight so fast. But she is happy in herself, I know this when I think about it, it's just sometimes hard to see past what she looks like, you are right. x

Thank you very much. x

Thank you for your support, I will keep you all updated.

Thank you Sheree, you are exactly right, apart from that she is fine and as I said, if not for the weight loss we wouldn't even be thinking this, but she's so thin, it's breaking our hearts because there's nothing we can do to stop the malabsorption, the steroids were always going to stop working but we never knew it would be so soon.

Thank you for thinking of us, she still has a sparkle in her eye and a cheeky look, life in the old dog yet as they say.

I honestly do feel a lot better about her after posting this thread thanks to everyone here. x

Thank you Vicki, I will post what the vet says on friday as she looks much worse than when she was there a fortnight ago, so clearly the steroids are not working now as we were warned would happen.

Thank you for your kind words, she is such a special lady, she is slow but she is relaxed and happy and she has her moments still.

Thank you AM, I hope so too, she will appreciate a nice hug and a bum scratch too. She does still back up onto your lap for a bum scratch as she has always done!

Thank you for your support and your lovely comments on Sadie, I still think she is just so beautiful, she is our baby. x

I'm sorry the pictures upset you, but she really has no idea she is so thin, apart from less energy, it's just so sad to her like this. Thank you for your kind thoughts. x

Thank you so much and your post as ever is so very supportive and helpful to me, I would like to think I will know when she tells me but I suppose as is just natural because I love her so very much and I don't want her to suffer, I really don't want to let her down so I have been doubting myself as I have never had to do this before and my mum has asked me because she doesn't think she will know either.

Thank you Dani for your support, she still does look happy and she does still enjoy her walks and rolling about in goodness only knows what! I feel a bit silly now making a fuss but I suppose it took this to help me get over what she looks like now and look how she is actually still enjoying her life despite that.